NSRA AND LEISURE TRENDS GROUP FORM PARTNERSHIP TO PROVIDE & ANALYZE RETAIL SALES DATA AND TRENDS REP

NSRA and Leisure Trends Group Form Partnership to Provide & Analyze Retail Sales Data and Trends Reporting

The National Shoe Retailers Association (NSRA) and Leisure Trends Group (LTG) have agreed to track overall sales of independent shoe stores through point-of-sale information that will give independents unprecedented access to information regarding market size, brand shares and hot retail trends, as well as giving vendors the opportunity to assess trend directions in the independent channel as a distinct sector of the footwear retailing industry.

Leisure Trends Group, a leader in providing marketplace insights for a variety of sports and lifestyle industries, will gather the data via its Retail TRAK™ Point-of-Sale Tracking Service. Then the company will aggregate the data, providing an overview of sales within the independent distribution channel.

"NSRA recognizes the importance to our industry of aggregate retail sell-through data, and we are confident that Leisure Trends' RetailTRAK platform is ideal for both retailers and suppliers in our channel,” said NSRA president Chuck Schuyler. "Leisure Trends Group works to establish key benchmarks, including numbers on management, doors, average dollar volumes by brand, brands carried and geographical spreads,” he continued, "so they will be able to publish regular retail sales data tracking category, class, brand and model reports. It will be an excellent current information resource for independents, as well as for the vendors who supply them.”

Leisure Trends Group president Charlie Cooper anticipates fielding the first Retail Marketing Distribution Study for the independent footwear retailing channel this year. "This channel is a perfect fit for Leisure Trends, as these retailers sell high-quality and performance products and are focused on customer service,” he explained, adding "Store employees know their products and customers, and take pride in measuring and fitting customers properly.”

Leisure Trends will cover all categories, brands and styles sold in the same detailed manner it uses for all other industries. NSRA member retailers will be able to access comprehensive benchmark and retail trend data as a result.

The average NSRA member owns 3 stores, employs 7 full-time-equivalent people per store, and sells shoes with an average price per pair of $100. Most NSRA stores carry shoes for adults and children, as well as non-shoe products that include handbags, small leather goods, accessories, jewelry, foot care products and other add-ons. Because independents make their own buying decisions without having to wait for orders from distant corporate headquarters, they tend to be trend-setters, always on the lookout for new and distinct product that will appeal to their forward-looking customers.

Since data will be automatically tracked via POS, retailers will not have to implement time-consuming operational changes. They will be able to understand channel-wide trends quickly, and adjust their inventories and marketing plans in a way that reflects current market conditions.

LTG's Retail TRAK™ represents POS data including equipment, equipment accessories, apparel, apparel accessories and footwear. Through it, LTG tracks retail performance for the following industries: outdoor, running, snowsport (ski/snowboard), cycling, paddle sports (canoe and kayak), athletic apparel, performance outerwear and scuba. Tracking covers all categories sold (topline) down to the brand and model level, including category sales and growth, fastest growing brands, top-selling styles and other trends.

"Information is an essential resource for independent retailers,” Schuyler noted, "because it allows them to pivot quickly. NSRA has worked aggressively over the past few years to position itself as a key information resource for independents. Through Leisure Trends, we will be providing our members and the industry with one-stop-shopping in terms of data collection and trends tracking. Coupled with the financial analysis of the independent channel that our Business Performance Reports provide, NSRA has become the go-to source for information regarding the independent channel. We are packaging information in ways that give businesses significant tools to employ in their decision-making. That reflects what our industry needs to maintain and increase its strength in the 21^st century marketplace.”

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About NSRA: The National Shoe Retailers Association is a not-for-profit membership organization representing independent shoe store owners throughout the U.S. and Canada. Together, independent retailers account for roughly 20% of the footwear distribution channel, with estimated retail sales of approximately $9 billion. NSRA's mission is to provide members with exceptional educational programs, vital cost-saving services and informational resources, and powerful networking opportunities that allow them to significantly improve their business performance. Headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, NSRA welcomes owner-operated footwear retailers of all sizes. For more information, visit www.nsra.org or call 1-800-673-8446 and request a membership packet outlining NSRA's services and membership fee.

About Leisure Trends Group: LTG is the leading provider of consumer research, retail market intelligence (sales tracking) and integrated CRM/Direct Marketing services for the sports, recreation, hospitality, travel and entertainment industries. Suppliers, retailers, associations, resorts and financial analysts rely on Leisure Trends Group for actionable consumer insights, accurate retail sales data that includes margins and inventory, and innovative targeted marketing solutions. Leisure Trends Group is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. For more information, contact Julia Day, jday@leisuretrends.com, telephone 303-786-7900, ext. 107, or visit www.leisuretrends.com.